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Looking for work while in work

Written by: LoveLocalJobs.com
Published on: 4 Mar 2020

It’s an age-old conundrum: how do you go about looking for work while you’re working full time? From the hours you need to tailor every application, to scheduling interviews, the process can seem like a secretive minefield, one which can put many workers off from finding a better role.

looking for work

Stay employed while you look

Juggling a job hunt with your job is daunting, and it is hard we won’t lie. However, gaps in your CV can be hazardous, particularly in a competitive jobs market. When you’re working, your professional network keeps you in the loop in your industry. Once you remove yourself from that safety net, you’ll become out of the loop and out of sight.

Don’t search on company time

As a rule, your current responsibilities come first. Looking for work when you’re actually at work can be seen as disrespectful and can distract you from the job at hand. Search for work in the privacy of your own home, rather than risk being seen at work. On that note, always give your mobile number to employers to catch calls and alerts on the go, never your work number or home phone number.

It’s safe to update your LinkedIn profile

Giving your LinkedIn profile a sudden overhaul, and gaining tens of new contacts overnight, can sound alarm bells, but you’re perfectly in the right to do so. With so many people using LinkedIn these days, having a complete profile is both normal and necessary. One of the only mistakes that you can make is to openly indicate that you’re looking for work before you tell your boss.

Schedule interviews at reasonable hours for you

Most hiring managers will understand that you can’t leave your desk to pop to an interview and that you won’t always be available during the week. Keep the process transparent from the start by explaining that you would prefer an interview before or after your working hours, or even suggest a phone or video interview which you can conduct during a lunchbreak.  

Never bad mouth your current employer

As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. Don’t act on temptations to slate your current employer, even when you’re having a hard time. Burning bridges before you leave a company can damage your reputation as well as the company you have left. Keep your responses positive and constructive when asked about your current situation, and focus on how you would like your career to improve rather than how you have been held back.

Continue to work hard

Even if you have told your boss that you’re looking for work elsewhere, you still have a commitment to your current employer while you have a contract. Retaining strong relationships in your industry may play to your favour later in your career, so, again, don’t burn bridges by slacking during your final weeks. You never know, you may decide that you’re better off where you are.

Finally…

Once you have accepted an offer, tell your boss what you’re doing, thank them for their support, work out your contract, and round things off with a positive speech and maybe a few drinks before parting ways.

The number one reason for choosing to use a job board is to find jobs in a local area. That’s where LoveLocalJobs.com comes in! Our passion for effective online careers education, information, advice and guidance is what makes us different. Browse all of the jobs on our site by clicking here